Signal translating circuit



Feb. 15, 1966 c. J. HIRSCH SIGNAL TRANSLATING CIRCUIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 21 1961 INVENTOR. CHARLES JMAJM BY QNRYQwbNW I QHNQNWRNQ II Arron 5r Feb. 15, 1966 c. J. HIRSCH 3,235,806

SIGNAL TRANSLATING CIRCUIT Filed Sept. 21, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 2&080/4 z 4T0)? TUNNEL 01005 E FE o 30 18) 24 i mzzm l INVENTOR.

Feb. 15, 1966 c. J. HIRSCH SIGNAL TRANSLATING CIRCUIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 21, 1961 I NVEN TOR.

BY (l/1:455, J ///A$C/l zgymuniza AZZiiauL.

Arron if Feb. 15, 1966 c. J. HIRSCH SIGNAL TRANSLATING CIRCUIT 4 Sheets-Sheef 4 Filed Sept. 21. 1961 United States Patent 3,235,806 SIGNAL TRANSLATING CIRCUIT Charles J. Hirsch, Princeton, N.J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 139,633 2 (Ilaims. (Cl. 325-449) This invention relates to frequency converter or mixer circuits, and more particularly to frequency converter or mixer circuits of the type using negative resistance diodes such as tunnel diodes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a negative resistance diode frequency converter or mixer circuit which exhibits improved noise performance.

The current at signal frequency in the input circuit of a diode converter or mixer is produced by two components. The first component is the current produced by a signal frequency voltage applied to the converter. The second component is the current produced by the conversion of the first component of current to the output frequency and back to the input frequency. In general the two components of current are of a phase to cancel each other, but the second current component is smaller than the first component because of the conversion losses through the diode.

In accordance with the invention, the above noted cancellation effect is used to advantage to provide improved noise performance in a negative resistance diode converter. The noise factor of the frequency converter is determined in part by noise originating at the output frequency due to (l) the diode and (2) the output circuit. In a manner similar to that noted above, the noise current at the output frequency is essentially comprised of two components. The first component of noise current in the output circuit is produced by the noise voltages originating at the output frequency. The second component results from the bilateral nature of diode converters wherein the first component of noise current is converted to the signal frequency, and back from the signal to the output frequency. As mentioned above, the first and second components are in a phase to cancel each other. However the negative resistance of the diode makes it possible for the noise current to be converted from one frequency to another with power gain so that the first and second components of noise current may be made substantially equal so that they may cancel each other.

The relative magnitudes of the first and second components of noise current at output frequency are primarily a function of the average conductance of the diode and the input resistance of the converter. The input resistance r is considered to be the equivalent of the source or generator impedance and the impedance of the converter input circuits tuned to the signal frequency. The average conductance g is determined by the D.-C. biasing voltage and the magnitude of the heterodyne oscillator voltage applied to the diode. The first and second components of noise are substantially equal and cancel when the relationship of the input resistance to the average conductance satisfies the condition, 1+r g =0. To satisfy this condition g must be negative, and this can be achieved by biasing the diode in the negative resistance portion of its current-voltage characteristic.

When the aforestated condition is satisfied, it has been found that the noise figure of the converter is primarily a function of the D.-C. diode current, I and the average diode conductance, g The higher the absolute value of the ratio of average conductance to the D.-C. diode current, the lower the noise figure. The maximum absolute value of the ratio of the average conductance to D.-C. diode current which may be achieved is a function of the particular diode characteristics. At the present state of the art germanium tunnel diodes can, if properly operated, provide a higher ratio of Ig /I I than gallium arsenide or other III-V compound diodes.

In the construction of a negative resistance diode frequency converter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the diode is biased so as to produce a negative average conductance, and D.-C. bias and local oscillator drive are adjusted -to provide the largest value of [g /l i. The input resistance of the converter as defined above is then selected to satisfy the condition 1+r g =0. Under these conditions, the first and second components of noise current are of substantially equal amplitude and opposite phase, so they cancel, thereby reducing the noise figure of the converter.

If, in a particular converter circuit design, the condition 1+r g =0 is not satisfied, then the converter noise figure is a function not only of the ratio |g /I mentioned above, but is also a function of the ratio of the absolute value of the average conductance g to the conversion conductance g of the diode. The conversion conductance, like the average conductance is a function of the D.-C. bias voltage and the local oscillator drive applied to the tllode. It has been found that when the condition l+r g =0 is not satisfied, the smaller the value (g /g the lower the noise figure. However, g should not exceed g for stability reasons to be discussed hereinafter.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a frequency converter including negative resistance diode, such as a tunnel diode, is biased in the negative resistance region of its current-voltage characteristic. Since the operating conditions for the maximum value of [g /I usually produces very large values of (g /5 V, for presently available negative resistance tunnel diodes, the D.-C. bias voltage and local oscillator voltage drive are adjusted to provide the maximum value of [g consistent with a low value of (g /5' In other words the value [g /I may not be at the maximum achievable for the particular diode used, but will be at the largest possible value that corresponds to the operating conditions producing a low or near minimum value of (g /g These operating conditions permit a degree of tolerance so that when the condition 1+r g =0 is not satisfied, the noise figure of the converters is not greatly deteriorated.

The novel features that are considered to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a graph illustrating the current-voltage characteristic of a typical tunnel diode;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a negative resistance diode frequency converter embodying the invention; I

FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of the input circuit portion of the circuit of FIGURE 2 converted by Thevenins theorem to its equivalent circuit with the elements connected in series;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the converter circuit of FIGURE 2 converted in accordance with Thevenins theorem to its equivalent circuit for the elements connected in series;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic circuit diagram similar to that of FIGURE 4 except that the tunnel'diode and local oscillator source are represented by the equivalent average and conversion conductances of the diode;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are equivalent diagrams showing the noise current circuits for noise contributed at the signal and output frequencies respectively;

FIGURE 8 is an equivalent diagram of showing the noise current circuit for noise contributed by the tunnel diode;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the circuit of FIGURE 8 converted by Thevenins theorem to an equivalent series circuit in a tunnel diode;

FIGURE 10 is a table showing the relationship in a tunnel diode of D.-C. current I average conductance g and conversion conductance g for various D.-C. bias and oscillator voltages; and

FIGURE 11 is a table showing the noise factor of a frequency converter for various values of D.-C. bias and oscillator voltages applied to the tunnel diode.

One type of negative resistance diode which may be used in frequency converters embodying the invention is known as a tunnel diode. The constructural details of such diode are discussed in an article entitled Tunnel Diodes as High Frequency Devices by H. S. Sommers, Jr. appearing in the Proc. IRE, p. 1201 et seq, July 1959.

(I) TUNNEL DIODE CHARACTERISTIC The measured and computed current-voltage characteristics of a typical germanium tunnel diode is shown in FIGURE 1. The current scales depend on the area and doping of the junction, but representative currents are in the milliampere range. In the present case the current scales correspond to the ratio I/I where I is the current through the diode for a given D.-C. bias voltage and I is the current maximum at the point p.

For a small reverse voltage the current through the diode increases in the reverse direction as a function of voltage as is indicated by the region b of FIGURE 1.

For small forward bias voltages, the characteristic is substantially symmetrical (FIGURE 1, region c). According to present theory, the forward current results from quantum mechanical tunneling. At higher forward bias voltages, the forward current (believed due to quantum mechanical tunneling) reaches a maximum (at point p), and then begins to decrease. This drop continues (FIG- URE 1, region e) to a current minimum point 1, and eventually normal injection over the barrier becomes important and the characteristic turns into the usual forward behavior, (region g, FIGURE 1).

The current-voltage characteristic of the diode may be approximated by a power series extending to the 10th order as:

The conductance of the diode is then:

=%=a +2a e+3a e +10a e (1.2)

The values of a a etc., were computed from data obtained from a 1N3218 germanium tunnel diode to be:

(II) THE FREQUENCY CONVERTER CIRCUIT A tunnel diode frequency converter circuit is shown in FIGURE 2. A signal source 10, shown in the dashed rectangle as comprising a signal generator V having an internal resistance r generates a voltage E cos w t. The signal source represents the equivalent circuit of an antenna, amplifier, or other signal generating or translating means.

Signal voltage from the signal source 10 is applied to the converter tuned input circuit 12. The tuned circuit 12 includes a parallel connected inductor 14 and capacitor 16 resonant at the frequency of the signals supplied by the source 10. In the case where the source 10 comprises an antenna circuit, the tuned circuit 12 is tuned to the frequency of the signals which are to be received. At resonance the impedance Z of the tuned circuit 12 is the resistance of the circuit represented by the resistor r connected across the circuit. It should be understood that the resistor r may not actually be a physical resistor but represents the resistance of the elements and connections of the tuned circuit 12.

The frequency converter tuned input circuit 12 is connected to a tunnel diode 18 through a conductor 20. The tunnel diode 18 is biased by a battery 22, or other suitable D.-C. source, to the desired operating point as will be described hereinafter. One terminal of the battery 22 is connected to the anode of the diode 18, and the other terminal of the battery 22 is connected through an inductor 24, an output circuit 26, and the input circuit 12 both to the cathode of the diode 18. The D.-C. biasing circuit is shown only by way of example, and may if desired be comprised of a suitable voltage dividing network with a variable resistor to adjust the bias applied to the diode. In practice such a voltage divider network may include a resistor, across which the bias voltage is developed, connected in the D.-C. current path of the diode, and bypassed by a capacitor which offers low impedance to signal and output frequencies. It will be observed that the input and output circuits 12 and 26 offer very little resistance to direct current flow.

A suitable heterodyne oscillation generator 28 supplies an oscillator signal E cos w t to an inductive loop 30, which is coupled to the inductor 24. The inductor 24 is tuned to the oscillator frequency by a capacitor 32.

The inductor 24 is connected through a conductor 34 to the output circuit 26. The output circuit 26 is tuned to the intermediate frequency by an inductor 36 connected in parallel with a capacitor 38. The impedance Z of the output circuit at resonance is represented by the resistor r connected across the circuit. As is the case of the input circuit, the resistor r does not necessarily represent a physical resistor.

A common, or ground conductor 40 interconnects the signal source 10, and the input and output circuits 12 and 26 respectively.

(III) GENERAL To understand the requirements for low noise operation of a tunnel diode frequency converter, the system noise figure will be derived and examined. The system noise figure includes noise contributions by:

(a) The input circuit at the signal frequency (b) The output circuit at the output or intermediate frequency (c) The tunnel diode 18 at both frequencies In order to calculate the individual noise contributions noted above, the relations for linear and conversion conductances for the currents at signal frequency (W1) and at the output or intermediate frequency (W2) must be derived, as well as equations for amplification bandwidth, and power gain.

(IV) DETERMINATION OF SIGNAL AND INTER- MEDIATE FREQUENCY CURRENTS For convenience in calculation, the signal source 10 and input circuit 12 portion of the converter circuit is converted by Thevenins Theorem to that shown in FIG. 3, where all elements are in series. The generated voltage is changed to the voltage appearing across points 2, 8 when connection 2-3 is open; this voltage is =E cos w t The internal impedance of the generator is equal to Z (r and Z in parallel). This transformation is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The converter action introduces currents at the input signal frequency (w,) and the output or intermediate frequency (W2), so that the total current flowing in the series circuit is generalized:

The first task of the analysis is to determine I and I For simplification, assume that Z for frequencies not equal to the intermediate frequency and Z =0 for frequencies not equal to the signal frequency.

From FIG. 4, the voltages applied to the diode are seen to be:

(1) A D.-C. bias voltage and a strong local oscillator voltage:

e =E cos wJ-I-E (2.1)

(2) A weak signal voltage:

e (E -I Z cos w t (2.2)

(3) A weak reversed I-F voltage:

e =I Z cos w t (2.3)

Since e is much larger than e and e it, e establishes a dynamic conductance, g, obtained by substituting e for e in Equation 1.2, resulting in:

g=a +2a e +3a e .'|-1Oa e (2.4)

expanding e =(E |-E cos w t) where m l, 2 9, substituting in (2.4), and collecting terms results in:

If we bind the computation of g and g to the first three terms of Equation 2.4 then:

However g 2g have been computed for all terms of Equation 2.4 and some values are shown in FIGURE 10, as functions of the D.-C. bias voltage (E and the local oscillator voltage (E Neglecting the term 2g cos 2w t for simplicity, the diode is seen to effectively consist of tWo conductances in parallel, namely: g a constant conductance producing currents having the same frequency as the voltage applied to it and linearly related to that voltage; and

2g cos w t, a conversion conductance, varying at the frequency of the local oscillator, which converts W1 to w =w -w and W2 to w =w w These two conductances are schematically represented in FIG. 5.

(V) VOLTAGE AND CURRENT RELATIONS From FIG. 5, the total voltage e applied to the parallel conductances is seen to be:

The total current I through the generator and the load is:

From 3.4.1 and 3.4.2, the currents at w and W2 are seen to be:

=I cos w t 1 cos Wgt o 1) 1+ c 2 2 o 1 c 1 1+( o 2) 2 c 1 These equations solved for 1 and I become:

Z 1 2 +g.z1 +go 2)gc 1 2 m (3.8) By symmetry it is seen that the current 1 cos w t produced by a voltage E cos w t is given by The circuit is stable when the total circuit conductance G is positive at W1 and the total positive circuit conductance G is-positive at w or:

(VI) AMPLIFICATION, BANDWIDTH, AND POWER GAIN Repeating (3.8)

9c 1) +g0 2) '"go l 2 Divide the numerator and denominator by Z Z gc/ Z2 E5 The output voltage is I Z so that the amplification A is For simplification, we will assume the output circuit to be so broadly tunedthat Z =r over the whole 3 db bandwith of the converter.

I 3,235,806 7 8 At resonance 01:0, and (A) Noise generated by the generator and input circuit A 212 90/7,; (4 3 1) Referring to FIGURE 7, the output current I pro- E8 1 duced by /4KTBr is obtained by substituting this value o ;7 +go g for E in Equation 3.8.1 so that:

. 1/4KTB7 T 1 I I i he va ue of d WhlCh reduces A by 3 db is given by. 2 (1+gm) (1+goT2) 1 Q, 201 (1 )(1 2 This produces an output voltage: O O 4.4 +9) H w] +9 g 10 Var:

Since Equation 4.3 is symmetrical about resonance, the which n Squared becomes total bandwldth B=2d Clearing of fractions: (mum (Amy 2 KT B z 2 1 +90 1) +90 2) 90 1 21 +90%) Q1 +9J 1) +90) 90 Multiplying by r /r and regrouping:

From 1 Q rlwlcl 2 TB +go' 1) +go 2) gu '1 2 r2 '1 (1+gOr2)r1C1B=(1.+gor1)(1+gor2) gc2r1r2 The quantity in the bracket is' equal to G (see 4.8)

so that: AEM M BC (l+go7,2) (4.5) 2 G li (5A5) The ower out ut P at resonance is from 3.8'.1

p P o (B) Noise generated by the output circuit at W2 Q 2 2 P (1 go) (1 907.2) 2, (4'6) Referring to FIGURE 7, this circuit produces a thermal noise voltage The available input power P,, is: E (5 2) 2 2 P,=E /4r 4.7 n

so that the power gain GP which produces a current:

i o 2 r1 2 4m I g( n) n% TB Pa (1 +9.01) (1 +g 1' g 1' 1' (5) E 2n +9J1) +90%) ge 1 '2 K r2 |:(jg (45) The output noise voltage is seen from FIGURE 7 a 0 1 go 2 gc 1 2 to be o 'l'go' l V 1 n n +gor1) g 21.172 1: n

2 E2 2 E2 +gm) 1+g.1-2 gc m2 E2 (1 +1.41) 1 +g.u 11. H 2 L W1 +g 1] L +gm] (Vzn KTBrzitg +90%) +90%) g r1 2 2 gm 12 am (5'5) From (4.5): (C) Noise contributed by the tunnel diode 2 B go r1r2 (1+g0r2)r1 C1 This noise can be considered to be supplied by a noise Substltutmg m current, i from a constant-current generator I con- 2 2 nected across the diode as in FIGURE 8, and equal to: G'P= l:-' 1

E 10 2) TIBC 5 G l: 2% 2 i /2qI B=20I 4KTB P 1+ m 0 Where q=the electron charge 90 T2 I ==the average D.C. current 4.9 0

GPB +969 B=21r times the bandwidth (VII) NOISE The diode, local oscillator, and bias are replaced by Contribution to noise comes from: the two equivalent parallel conductances g and 2,5

A. The combined resistance (r of the generator and cos w t as Shown in FIGURE input. tuned circuit producing a noise voltage E111 at By application of Thevenins Theorem, the constantthe slgnal frequency (W1)' current generator, I and the shunt conductance, g are 1n=\ 1 (5,1) replaced by a constant-voltage generator whose open circuit voltage is i /g and whose internal resistance is where KZBOltZmanS constant l/g as shown in FIG. 9. Z and Z are assumed to be TzAbsollute temperature tuned and become r and r Z =0 when w w Assuming Z =0 when w w the image frequency B=21r bandwidth B. The output load resistance r which produces a noise voltage E at the IF frequency w noise can be neglected and only the noise currents at signal frequency, in .cos wt, and at the intermediate frequency, in; cos w t, will be considered. 2n=\/ 2 The conversion conductance 2g cos w t converts noise C. The tunnel diode noise generated at the signal ireat 1 noise at 2 and Vice Vfirsa. 80 that the Total quency (W1). noise current I through the generator V is:

D. The tunnel diode noise generated at the IF frequency W I =I cos w t+I cos wt (5.7)

9 The voltage e across points a, b is equal to that of the generator minus the voltage drop in l/g or e (I cos wgS-i-I cos w t) o o go go For noises generated at the signal frequency W1 and at the IF frequency W2, Equation 5.7 becomes Consider first the voltage due to noise at signal frequency c When applied to path C, of the circuit of FIG. 9, it produces a current I =e /(r +r but because r =0, when we w the current really is:

I I I cos unicos w t (5.9.1)

o i 9J2 e applied to 2g cos w t (path D) produces:

I =e,, -2g cos w t= 1 25;. cos w t cos ta kcos w t %(1In I cos (Uzi-$1 cos w t (5.9.2)

The total current through the generator is:

from which These two equations become:

( +go 1) in'+ c 1 2n'= "1 These two equations solved for 1 and I give:

The noise current produced by the. tunnel diode at W2 can be derived from. (5.11) by inspection and is obtained from it by substituting 1 for I f; r for r r for r and in for in It is:

a ml (5.11

The noise output voltage (atw across r due to the TD at W1, is equal to the last term of 5.8.1 or, since r =0 when w=w V2 III:

10 The noise output voltage (at W2) across r due to the TD noise at W2, is equal to the first term of Equation 5.8.2

Squaring V V is the sum of all (noise-voltage) at the output due to all causes.

The first term is the contribution of the generator and tuned input circuit.

The second term is the contribution of the output circuit.

The third term is the contribution of the tunnel diode at W1.

The fourth term is the contribution of the tunnel diode at W2.

(E) (.Ouput noise-voltage) -V. -(aue to the available input noise power) The available input noise power is KTB. It produces an output power KTBG which produces a voltage V across the output load r such that:

(F) Noise figures of the converter system, including sources of noise atjhe IFN Factoring out r r and rearranging (VIII) EXAMINATION OF THE NOISE FIGURE Since in a tunnel diode g. can be negative, it is possible to make g =1/r then 1+g r =0, and the formula for the noise figure reduces to:

Making '1-|-g r =0, results in the cancellation of the noise originating at W2 in the tunnel diode and in the output circuit. The term r /r =2 when the generator is matched to the input circuit and r /r =1 for a standing wave ratio (SWR) The term g /l (in Equation 6.1) depends on the tunnel diode and on its operating parameters. The greater g /I the conductance per unit of current, the lower the noise figure becomes.

Presently available tunnel diodes have been found to have a maximum value of g /I =l5.1 so that it results in a value of:

Referring back to the relation for the noise-figure N =1+ =3.65 db.

it is seen that if 1+g r is not exactly equal to zero, but equal to say 10.1, then a large value of g r r is desired to keep the value of N low.

It is shown hereinafter that the circuit is stable if:

1, 1 (7.3 and 7.4)

For values of g and g calculated for a commercially available tunnel diode type IN3218, r /r lies between 1.0+ and 2.3. For simplicity in what follows we will assume that r =r Then:

then after collecting terms:

namely:

(1) E =0.10V and E =0.01V (2) E =0.12V and E =0.02V

However, condition (1) results in (g /g 12,000 and, therefore, N =25 db for b=i0.1; while condition (2) results in (g /g =78 and, therefore, N =6.6 db again for b=i0.1.

(IX) STABILITY The circuit is stable if:

and

(1 +9.72) we. 1 1) +90 2) g r1 2 Inserting 1+g r =0 in 3.9.2, results in:

which is greater than zero.

Inserting 1+g r =0 in 3.7.2, results in:

2/1i)/ "i-g@ 2 G 0:

1 gc 1 2 or r -r +g r r 0; from which The circuit is stable for 7.3 and 7.4.1 when l+g r =0 (X) POWER GAIN, BANDWIDTH, AND NOISE FIGURE WHEN 1+g r =0 (A) Power Gain G L2 6 1 1 s +941) (1 +yo 2) 96 m Insert 1+g r 0, then g 1/ r and From (4.8)

It is seen from (8.2) that a low value of g results in a high value for the power gain G However, this may result in a high noise figure if 1+g r is not exactly zero, as shown by:

This close adjustment required to make 1+g r =0, makes it desirable to maintain a farly high value of g and therefore a low value of G In addition, it may be desirable to use a low value of local oscillator swing (E to reduce the excursion in the value of g about its value at E (B) Bandwidth BC (C) Sample values Values of g g and I were computed for tunnel diode 1N32218 for diiferent values of E and E From these values, the power gain, BC product, and noise figures were calculated from Equations 8.2; 8.3; and 6.1. Some values, which result in stable operation, are shown in the table of FIGURE 11.

(XI) SUMMARY The system noise figure of a tunnel diode converter is expressed in Equation 5.2. If the quantity 1+g r of this equation is equal to zero, it will be seen that the noise figure will be reduced. Expressed in another manner, the noise figure is reduced because the negative resistance diode permits the gain of the system to be adjusted so that the noise originating at I-F is converted to signal frequency and back to I-F in an amplitude to equal the originating I-F noise component. Since the originating I-F noise current and the converted and reconverted component are in phase opposition, they cancel.

The quantity g is a function of the bias voltage amplitude and the amplitude of the local oscillator voltage applied to the tunnel diode 18 as will be seen from FIG- URE 10. The quantity r includes the input circuit 12 impedance as well as that of the signal source 10.

When 1+g r =0 the noise figure of the converter is a function of the ratio of the average conductance g to the DC. current through I the diode. Increasing values of {g /I are shown in column 6 of FIGURE 11. It will be seen from column 9 of FIGURE 11 that the noise figure is minimum for the largest absolute value of g /I Column 16, of FIGURE 11 shows the noise figure when 1|g r =:0.1. In this case Equation 6.4 shows that the noise figure is not only a function of the ratio [g /I but also is a function of the ratio (g /g From column it will be seen that the best noise figures occur for the operating conditions specified in lines 8 and 9 wherein the ratio (g /g is at a near minimum for reasonably large values of the ratio g /I In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the bias voltage and oscillator drive are adjusted to provide the largest value for the ratio lg /l l where g is negative. g may be made negative by biasing the diode in the negative resistance portion of its characteristic. The input resistance r includin that of the input circuit 12 and signal source 10, is then adjusted to a value where 1+g r =0.

With the particular germanium diode whose characteristics are shown in FIGURES 10' and 11, a D.-C. bias voltage of .12 volt is applied to the diode in a manner to permit stable biasing in the negative resistance region of the current-voltage characteristic. The peak oscillator voltages is .01 volt producing an average conductance of 6.8 mho. The input resistance r including the resistance of the input circuit 12 and the signal source 10 is 1/ 6.8 ohms. Thus the quantity 1+g r is equal to zero. This permits optimum noise operation of the frequency converter.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, where the quantity l+g r cannot be maintained exactly zero because of expected circuit tolerances or the like, this quantity is maintained as small as possible, but

the operating voltages may be different from those specified above to prevent degradation of the. noise figure. when the quantity 1+g r does not exactly equal zero. Under these conditions, the operating voltages applied to the diode are adjusted to provide a low value for the quantity (g /g.) consistent with a reasonably high value for the quantity [g /I It will be noted from column 7 of FIG- URE 11 that (g /g has low values for lines 1-3 and for lines 8 and 9. However the values for Ig /I I in lines 1-3 is very small, but is quite large for lines 8 and 9. Accordingly the operating voltages used are those specified in lines 8 and 9 with the input resistance r adjusted to provide as low a quantity 1+g r as possible. For the operating conditions specified in lines 8 and 9, the noise figure of the converter drops from 4.2 to 4.5 when the quantity l+g r changes from zero to 10.1,. whereas considerably poorer noise figure results in both cases for the operating conditions specified in lines 1-3 of FIGURE 11.

It is seen from Equation 3.7.2 that the input conductance G can be positive, zero, or negative by suitable choice of parameters. It is often desirable to make the input conductance as low as possible, and by adjusting the circuit parameters of Equation 3.7.2 the input conductance may be made as low as necessary.

What is claimed is:

1. A tunnel diode mixer circuit which is optimized for low noise operation comprising in combination, a tunnel diode, a signal input circuit for signals of a first frequency coupled to said tunnel diode, a signal output circuit for corresponding signals of a second frequency coupled to said tunnel diode, means providing a source of local oscillations coupled to said tunnel diode, means providing a source of direct current biasing voltage coupled to said tunnel diode to forward bias said diode in the negative, resistance region of its current-voltage characteristic, the amplitude of said biasing voltage and said local oscillations being such as to provide a conversion conductance g and a negative average conductance (g and a direct current through the diode I wherein a near minimum value for the ratio (g /g is achieved for a near maximum value for the ratio g /I 2. A tunnel diode mixer circuit as defined in claim 1 wherein said signal input circuit has an equivalent resistance r of a value so that the quantity 1+g r is substantially equal to zero.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1961 Watters 325-443 OTHER REFERENCES DAVID G. REDINBAUGH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TUNNEL DIODE MIXER CIRCUIT WHICH IS OPTIMIZED FOR LOW NOISE OPERATION COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A TUNNEL DIODE, A SIGNAL INPUT CIRCUIT FOR SIGNALS OF A FIRST FREQUENCY COUPLED TO SAID TUNNEL DIODE, A SIGNAL OUTPUT CIRCUIT FOR CORRESPONDING SIGNALS OF A SECOND FREQUENCY COUPLED TO SAID TUNNEL DIODE, MEANS PROVIDING A SOURCE OF LOCAL OSCILLATIONS COUPLED TO SAID TUNNEL DIODE, MEANS PROVIDING A SOURCE OF DIRECT CURRENT BIASING VOLTAGE COUPLED TO SAID TUNNEL DIODE TO FORWARD BIAS SAID DIODE IN THE NEGATIVE, RESISTANCE REGION OF ITS CURRENT-VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTIC, THE AMPLITUDE OF SAID BIASING VOLTAGE AND SAID LOCAL OSCILLATIONS BEING SUCH AS TO PROVIDE A CONVERSION CONDUCTANCE GC AND A NEGATIVE AVERAGE CONDUCTANCE (-GO) AND A DIRECT CURRENT THROUGH THE DIODE IO WHEREIN A NEAR MINIMUM VALUE FOR THE RATIO (GO/GC)2 IS ACHIEVED FOR A NEAR MAXIMUM VALUE OF THE RATIO -GO/IO.
 2. A TUNNEL DIODE MIXER CIRCUIT AS DEFINED IN CLAIM 1 WHEREIN SAID SIGNAL INPUT CIRCUIT HAS AN EQUIVALENT RESISTANCE R1 OF A VALUE SO THAT THE QUANTITY 1+GOR1 IS SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO ZERO. 